Utah conservatives like to throw the word "socialist" around higgidity-piggity when discussing American political issues ranging from health care to public education.

Now, Southern Utah University is offering them a chance to see what genuine socialism up close in "Soviet Era Art: 1917-1991." The exhibit at the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery includes Russian art from the 20th century that captures the movement, the history, the passion and the people during the Soviet Union's still-optimistic days. Even Stalin, a world-class murdering despot, comes off looking like benevolent Uncle Joe in one painting on loan from the Springville Museum of Art.

The exhibit is curated and mounted by SUU students in Art and Design and Arts Administration.

The Braithwaite is on the SUU campus, 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City. For more information, call 435- 586-5432 suu.edu/pva/artgallery.